Myths and Tragedies in their Ancient Greek Contexts

Richard Buxton

Authoritative author with a distinguished track-record of publication on Greek mythology

Previously published chapters in the book have been revised especially for this work

The introduction sets out the principles underlying Buxton's methodology

Many of the themes explored will appeal to those interested in other mythologies and folklores

Myths and Tragedies in their Ancient Greek Contexts

Richard Buxton

Description

This work brings together eleven of Richard Buxton's studies of Greek mythology and Greek tragedy, focusing especially on the interrelationship between the two, and their importance to the Greeks themselves.

Situating and contextualising topics and themes, such as mountains, (were)wolves, mythological names, movement/stillness, blindness, and feminization, within the world of ancient Greece -- its landscapes, social and moral priorities, and mental structures -- he traces the intricate variations and retellings which they underwent in Greek antiquity. Although each chapter has appeared in print in some form before, each has been thoroughly revised for the present book, taking into account recent research. The introduction sets out the principles and objectives which underlie Buxton's approach to Greek myths, and how he sees his own method in relation to those of his predecessors and contemporaries.

Myths and Tragedies in their Ancient Greek Contexts

Richard Buxton

Table of Contents

Abbreviations List of Illustrations Introduction PART I: THEMES IN MYTH 1. Imaginary Greek Mountains2. Wolves and Werewolves in Greek Thought3. Mythological Names: The Case of melas4. The Myth of Talos: Vulnerability, ichor, and Boundary-Crossing5. Movement and Stillness: Versions of MedeaPART II: MYTHS IN TRAGEDY 6. Tragedy and Greek Myth7. Time, Space, and Ideology: Tragic Myths and the Athenian Polis8. Bafflement in Greek Tragedy9. Blindness and Limits: Sophokles and the Logic of Myth10. Euripides Alkestis: Five Aspects of an Interpretation11. Feminized Males in Bakchai: The Importance of DiscriminationEnvoi Details of Original PublicationBibliography Index

Myths and Tragedies in their Ancient Greek Contexts

Richard Buxton

Author Information

Richard Buxton is Professor of Greek Language and Literature at the University of Bristol. Since 2006 he has been President of the Foundation for the Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae.